Quincy Masonic Temple on market for $3 million

One of Quincy's most imposing structures is up for sale. The Quincy Masonic Temple, the neoclassical structure built in 1926 for the Freemasons, has been listed by Hanover-based broker 1st US Realty. The current asking price is $3 million.

By Patrick Ronan

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Patrick Ronan

Posted Jul. 20, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 20, 2013 at 8:09 PM

By Patrick Ronan

Posted Jul. 20, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 20, 2013 at 8:09 PM

QUINCY

» Social News

One of the city’s most imposing structures is up for sale.

The Quincy Masonic Temple, the neoclassical structure built in 1926 for the Freemasons, has been listed by Hanover-based broker 1st US Realty. The current asking price is $3 million.

The building, once home to several Freemason groups, is currently home to only the Rural Lodge of Masons.

The three-story building, at 1170 Hancock St., was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The building, 21,653 square feet in size, stands out because of its archaic stone facade, which includes four pillars and a gold Freemason symbol at the entrance.

The temple was designed by J. Williams Beal and Sons, a Boston architectural firm that also designed other downtown landmarks such as the Granite Trust Building and the old Patriot Ledger building on Temple Street.

Mark Sobel of 1st US Realty, the broker trying to sell the Mason building, didn’t want to comment on the listing when reached by phone Thursday.

On Monday, Stephen Beatty, master of the Rural Lodge of Masons, said he wasn’t sure about the future of the Quincy Masonic Temple.

“Our fervent hope is that we’ll continue meeting in the building,” Beatty said.

City records say the building is owned by the Masonic Temple Association. Beatty said he doesn’t meddle in the association’s affairs.

“As long as they keep providing me a place to meet, I don’t worry about it,” Beatty said.

Robert Huke, director of communications and development at Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, the governing body of Freemasonry in the state, had no comment Thursday when asked about the listing.

The listing says the structure contains a theater, three separate lodge rooms, and an oak-paneled library.

Jay Duca, Quincy’s director of inspectional services, said the building owner has applied for a permit for exploratory work on the building. Such permits are sought when a property owner wants to check the structural integrity of a site, Duca said. That work can include testing for asbestos.

Patrick Ronan may be reached at pronan@ledger.com or follow on Twitter @PRonan_Ledger.